A Comprehensive Evaluation of Quality of Life in Turkey and East European Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected societies. This study aims to evaluate the quality of life of Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, and Estonia in comparison with Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic and to make recommendations to policymakers. The results of the “Living, Working and COVID-19 Survey” implemented by Eurofound in European countries at the beginning of the pandemic were compared between Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, and Turkey, and the economic, social, health and psychological impact of the pandemic on societies were examined. It has been found that the countries with the highest happiness mean scores were Latvia and Estonia, the countries with the lowest happiness mean scores were Turkey and Hungary, the countries with the highest mean satisfaction score were Estonia and Latvia, the countries with the lowest mean satisfaction score were Turkey and Slovakia. In the study, it was also determined that the countries with the highest mean score of trust in the healthcare system and government institutions were Estonia and Latvia. The results of the study indicate that the factors affecting the quality of life of the people during the pandemic differ between countries. In the study, it was determined that the countries with a high average of trust in government institutions and health systems also have high average scores of satisfaction and happiness. It is important for policymakers to have information about the factors affecting the quality of life of the society to be prepared for pandemics.